Bridal beauty on a budget

The venue is booked. The caterers have created the perfect menu. You’ve found your perfect dress. The bridesmaids are delighted with their frocks (phew!). And the invitations have been selected, hand-written and sent. You feel fantastic, and your wedding is going to be outstanding.

But then you peer into your piggy bank and it’s almost empty. Empty! But don’t panic. Seriously. You may not have enough cash to splash on professional facials, hair and make-up artists or other in-salon treatments, but we’ve got a few nifty – and purse-friendly – tricks up our sleeves when it comes nailing bridal beauty without making you and your husband-to-be broke…

BRIDAL HAIR ON A BUDGET
Want to sport a Carrie Bradshaw-esque updo on your big day? Firstly, nice choice. It’s classic, stylish and always looks immaculate. Secondly, you don’t need a professional hair stylist to create such a style, honestly. All you need is one secret tool and one tool only: the Scunci Bun Maker. This hairpiece is shaped like a donut, and is super-easy to use – simply pop your hair into a high ponytail, thread the lengths through the Bun Maker and pin your hair around it. So simple, yet so effective. For the best finish, apply a nourishing treatment to your strands on regular basis in the lead up to the big day (try: Pantene Intensive Damage Repair Oil) and arm yourself with a good hairspray on the day to combat any pesky flyaways. We love: Umberto Giannini Rock’n’Roll Extreme Hairspray.

BRIDAL MAKE-UP ON A BUDGET
When it comes to big events, sometimes it’s better to do your own make-up. I mean, you know what works for you, and you don’t want to look back at the snaps in years to come and find yourself cringing at your unsuitable slap. To keep yourself looking fresh and beautiful all day long, go for a less is more approach. We’re talking a luminous, glowy make-up base, bare eyelids with loads of fluttery lashes (try: Miss Eyelure Lashes in Ava for a natural finish) and a bold pop of colour on the lips. (We love Savoir Faire Mini Lipsticks, as they’re the perfect size for your bridal clutch.) You’ll look youthful and ‘done’ all day, and won’t find yourself battling eye shadow fallout come the evening…

BRIDAL SKINCARE ON A BUDGET
Fact: when your skin is glowing and healthy, you feel outstanding. And every bride deserves to feel confident and happy on her big day, even if in-salon facials just aren’t on the cards.  The perfect solution to stunning skin without spending a fortune is this wee wonder: the Skinvitals Hydraflex Face mask. Containing a potent mix of wrinkle-fighting peptides, this skin-smoothing cloth treatment is a serious bargain. It comes in a pack of three (and for under 15 smackers!), and should be used twice a week in the month leading up to your wedding for brighter and more even-toned skin. Oh, and there’s a nifty Skinvitals Hydraflex Hand mask in this range too, which is worthy of any bride’s time. Your hands (and that rock!) will be on show all day long, so you’ll want to nip any age spots, fine line and dry paws in the bud by using these gems in the lead-up too.

BRIDAL BODY ON A BUDGET
Hair? Tick. Make-up? Tick. Skincare? Double tick. All that’s left is your hot bod, which is actually the cheapest body part to prep. Want soft, supple skin? Regularly applying a body lotion in the weeks before your big day won’t set you back much coin. And when it comes to giving your skin a little bit of a sun-kissed glow, that’s not going to cost a fortune either. Prep your skin with Dove Gentle Exfoliating Nourishing Body Wash two or three days before the day, and follow up with an application of gradual faux tan each morning or night to build up a natural-looking tan. We love Dove Summer Glow Body Lotion for its nourishing formula, which means you won’t ever be left with nasty clay-coloured dry patches. Phew!

Do you know a bride that’s on a budget? Do you have any budget beauty tips and tricks to share?

Get all the latest trends, photos and news from bh: follow us on...